novelraw Chapter 237: Restoring the Vault
Chapter 237: Restoring the Vault
Krobus nodded repeatedly without saying a word, but from his exaggerated expression, it was clear he was both pleased and touched.
“Alright, I need to run. I still have lunch plans, and showing up reeking like the sewer will definitely get me dirty looks. You should also keep a low profile—this recent price hike on Void Essence isn’t doing your kind any favors.”
Before leaving, Leon didn’t forget to remind Krobus.
“Mm, no problem,” Krobus replied with a nod. But after hesitating for a moment, he stopped Leon.
“What is it?” Leon asked, puzzled at the shadowy figure blocking his path.
“You get along well with the Merfolk, don’t you?” Krobus asked in return.
“My relationship with them is… average. But I do have friends among the Merfolk,” Leon explained.
“Then I want you to pass a message to your friend. The Shadow People won’t just sit and wait for death. This bounty has led to many of us being attacked. The priests of the council plan to use assassinations to pressure the Merfolk into rescinding this targeted bounty, and they’re already preparing to act.”
Krobus’ expression was deadly serious.
“You’re telling me this without worrying the Shadow People will see you as a traitor?” Leon stared at him in shock. This sounded like a top-secret operation, and Krobus—being an insider—was spilling it outright. That could get him in serious trouble.“I’m not bound by the Shadow People’s rules. They don’t welcome me anyway. I am Krobus, the Bridge-Crosser, a lone traveler between light and dark shadows. I live only for myself,” Krobus shook his head and answered.
“Thanks. This intel is important. I’ll thank you on behalf of the Merfolk, Krobus,” Leon said with a nod, understanding the man’s will from his answer.
“Mm.” Krobus nodded. “Go on, Leon.”
Leon nodded back, then climbed up the wall ladder out of the sewer. He retrieved his bicycle and pedaled toward the beach. The moment he reached the pier, he pulled out the Mermaid Horn and blew it.
A familiar magic array, familiar blue hair, and a familiar face—Anya had come again, this time alone.
“Leon, are you heading to the Merfolk’s gathering place for fun?” Anya asked when she saw him.
“No. Why is it you always assume I can’t be calling you for help?” Leon shot back.
“You’re in Stardew Valley, with powerful guardians watching over you. Your visit to the Queen alongside the Guardian has long been spread throughout the Merfolk. Everyone knows your relationship with the Guardian is special, so there’s no way you’d be in danger here,” Anya analyzed.
“…Fair point. Fine, I’ll drop the jokes. I’m here to share some intel with you,” Leon said, nodding before his expression turned serious.
“I know a rather unique Shadow Person. He told me that, in response to your bounty, the Shadow People plan to pressure you by assassinating Merfolk, forcing you to withdraw the bounty for Void Essence.”
“I see,” Anya’s face grew grim. “Thank you for the information, Leon. This is important. I need to go inform the elders and the Queen immediately. Sorry, no time to catch up.”
“Go, and safe travels,” Leon said with a nod. Anya dove into the sea and vanished, and only then did he turn to leave the pier.
He had done what he could. Whatever happened next between the Merfolk and the Shadow People was their business. Leon was just a weakling who had eaten a single Starfruit. He had neither the right nor the desire to get involved in that fight.
Checking the time—just past eleven—it was still a bit early for lunch. Leon rode back to Pelican Town and headed straight for the old Community Center.
Pushing open the moss- and vine-covered doors, he stepped past the splintered, uneven floor of the main hall, passed the noticeboard, and entered the dilapidated vault.
The floorboards had rotted through in places, revealing bare earth. The rusty vault door looked as if half of it had been blown off with C4. A desk, already corroded down to half its size, was covered in moss. The whole room practically screamed “ruin.”
The only thing still intact was the woven-vine basket beside the vault.
Leon glanced around but didn’t see any Junimos. He walked to the basket and began stuffing in money. Forty-two thousand five hundred gold—his heart ached with every bill. The money had barely warmed in his hands before it was gone.
As the last bill fell into the basket, a chorus of “puff-puff” sounds filled the room. Junimos of various colors hopped around Leon in delight. Four of them lifted the basket and ran toward the hall.
The rest raised their bean-sprout-like hands, swaying as they chanted in high-pitched chirps. Leon then witnessed an extraordinary magical renovation.
Fresh wooden floors replaced the rotted boards. The peeling, cracked walls gave way to red brick and sky-blue wallpaper. The rust on the vault door faded away as if time were rewinding, restoring it to its former state.
A huge carpet now lay before the vault, and a leafy potted plant filled the corner. On the opposite side, a brand-new office desk appeared, complete with a plush leather sofa. Filing cabinets and shelves adorned the wall.
It all happened in the space of four or five breaths. The wrecked vault was now a pristine office, sunlight streaming through spotless glass-and-metal windows without a speck of dust in sight.
“This is amazing. If I could partner with you guys to open a renovation company, I bet Robin would be out of a job,” Leon joked, squatting to address the Junimos around him.
They didn’t reply, only danced their strange little dance in joy.
After a short while, they vanished, reappearing moments later with something in their tiny hands.
“Gifts?” Leon guessed.
“Choo-choo-choo!” they chirped happily, setting their load before him.
The gifts came in four varieties. The first was three triple-layer chocolate cakes—each tier slightly smaller than the one below—topped with a cherry. Each sat beneath a glass dome.
“Chocolate Cake (Dish): Sweet and soft, with a thick coating of sugary icing.”
Leon picked one up, examined it, then offered it to the Junimos still lingering nearby. “Do you want some?”